Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether provision has been made for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Ministers to be located at the new Salford offices, and what proportion of their time will they expect to be there.

The department is committed to having 25% of roles outside of London and the southeast by 2027. Based on current headcount figures in Salford, this would equate to an increase of 58 staff per year and so the projected headcount for the end of 2024 is 172 staff based in Salford. The department’s Places for Growth targets are not based on grades. There is no formal stipulation for Ministers to spend a proportion of their time in Greater Manchester or any other growth location. The department works with Ministerial offices to support visits to growth locations where possible.